Hubble Space Telescope

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Hubble Space Telescope

How the Hubble Space Telescope works—and why it's important

Hubble Space Telescope

astronauts John Grunsfeld and Richard Linnehan with the Hubble Space Telescope, 2002

Sagittarius star cloud

How does the Hubble Space Telescope work?

Compare Hubble and James Webb space telescope images

Hubble Space Telescope

For Students

Hubble Space Telescope

Hubble Space Telescope summary

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Apollo 11 Lunar Module with its four landing-gear footpads deployed. This photograph was taken from the Command Module as the two spacecraft moved apart above the Moon.

5 Unforgettable Moments in the History of Spaceflight and Space Exploration

Galaxy clusters like Abell 2744 can act as a natural cosmic lens, magnifying light from more distant, background objects through gravity. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope may be able to detect light from the first stars in the universe if they are gravitationally lensed by such clusters. (astronomy, space exploration, galaxies)

How Fast Is the Universe Expanding?

The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A on July 1 1997 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission.

12 Questions About the History of Space Exploration Answered

Computer mapping, woman at early 1990s computer

Timeline of the 1990s

Space race (1957-1969) infographic between United States (U.S.) and Russia. America, Soviet Union, U.S.S.R., space exploration

Timeline of the Space Race, 1957–69

Discover

Illustration for Demystified "How Dangerous is Quicksand"

How Deadly Is Quicksand?

African Americans demonstrating for voting rights in front of the White House as police and others watch, March 12, 1965. One sign reads, "We demand the right to vote everywhere." Voting Rights Act, civil rights.

Timeline of the American Civil Rights Movement

Space race (1957-1969) infographic between United States (U.S.) and Russia. America, Soviet Union, U.S.S.R., space exploration

Timeline of the Space Race, 1957–69

Marriage. A couple getting married during a church wedding ceremony. (religion, ceremony, bride, groom)

The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic church

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Italian Renaissance painter from Florence. Engraving by Cosomo Colombini (d. 1812) after a Leonardo self portrait. Ca. 1500.

10 Famous Artworks by Leonardo da Vinci

Statue of Nostradamus

Nostradamus and His Prophecies

A Factory Interior, watercolor, pen and gray ink, graphite, and white goache on wove paper by unknown artist, c. 1871-91; in the Yale Center for British Art. Industrial Revolution England

Inventors and Inventions of the Industrial Revolution

Hubble Space Telescope: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Hubble Space Telescope's 35th anniversary: See NASA's new out-of-this-world images • Apr. 24, 2025, 1:53 PM ET (USA Today)

Hubble Captures Full View of Uranus’s Rings on Edge • Apr. 18, 2025, 3:57 AM ET (NASA Science (.gov))

Hubble Catches Jupiter’s Largest Moon Going to the ‘Dark Side’ • Apr. 17, 2025, 11:13 PM ET (NASA Science (.gov))

Dark Spot on Neptune • Apr. 17, 2025, 11:08 PM ET (NASA Science (.gov))

Hubble Space Telescope Releases New Anniversary Image of Iconic Galaxy • Apr. 17, 2025, 5:45 AM ET (Newsweek)

Photos and Videos

Hubble Space Telescope

Hubble Space Telescope

astronauts John Grunsfeld and Richard Linnehan with the Hubble Space Telescope, 2002

Sagittarius star cloud

Hubble Space Telescope

gravitational lens

Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9

How the Hubble Space Telescope works—and why it's important

How does the Hubble Space Telescope work?

$Understand how diffraction of light affects stellar images$

Top five milestones in space exploration history

Understand gravitational lenses and the importance of tracking the dark matter

See All Videos, Images and Interactives →

Quiz

View of the Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31, M31).

Astronomy and Space Quiz

Alberto Santos-Dumont. Postcard of Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont's (1873-1932) airship or dirigible and Eiffel Tower. The Santos Dumont Air-Ship rounding the Eiffel Tower; on Octoboer 19th 1901. airplane

A History of Everyday Technology in 68 Quiz Questions

List

Apollo 11 Lunar Module with its four landing-gear footpads deployed. This photograph was taken from the Command Module as the two spacecraft moved apart above the Moon.

5 Unforgettable Moments in the History of Spaceflight and Space Exploration

The Space Shuttle Columbia soars from Launch Pad 39A on July 1 1997 to begin the 16-day STS-94 Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (MSL-1) mission.

12 Questions About the History of Space Exploration Answered